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Moroccan King Declines to Meet With Erdogan

As protests continue across Turkey, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan went on a North Africa tour to strengthen economic ties.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) speaks next to his Tunisian counterpart Ali Larayedh during a news conference in Tunis June 6, 2013. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi (TUNISIA - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX10DY9

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is reviled by angry protesters in his own country, has been on an official visit to the Arab Maghreb countries since June 3. The visit included Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.

These last few days have been marked by new rallies and violent acts in Turkey — despite the excuses made by the government — and the incensed demonstrators continue to demand that Erdogan be toppled, criticizing his authoritarian tendencies and willingness to "Islamize" the secular nation. Turkish unions also joined the ranks of protesters, demanding the outright departure of the head of the conservative Islamist party, the Justice and Development Party (AKP).

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